"Parikchit"

Skandham-1.

Chapter-12.

Slokam-1 to 36.

The Birth of Emperor Parîkchit

(1) S'aunaka said: "The womb of Uttarâ, that was tormented by the heat released by the invincible weapon of As'vatthâmâ, was brought back to life by the Lord. (2) How did the birth of Emperor Parîkchit, who was highly intelligent and performed as a great soul, take place? What did actually happen at his death and what did he attain thereafter? (3) Please tell us, we all want to hear everything about what you think can be told of him as we are full of respect for the one whom S'ukadeva Gosvâmî delivered the knowledge of the Supreme."

(4) Sûta said: "King Yudhishthhira brought wealth the way his father did, pleasing all those who took birth without further motives for material gain or sense gratification, unrelenting as he was in his service to the feet of Lord Krishna. (5) His fame about his wealth, sacrifices, what he was working for, his queens, his brothers and his sovereignty over the planet earth where we are living, spread all over the three worlds. (6)His opulence was such that even the godly aspired for it, because, being a god-fearing person, o twice born, nothing else that would please could satisfy the hunger of the king.

(7) At the time of being in the womb of his mother, could the great fighter, the child Parîkchit, suffering from the heat of the brahmâstra weapon, o son of Bhrigu, see the purusha [the original person] as someone else. (8) In the blaze he saw at the size of a thumb the transcendental Infallible Lord beautifully blackish with a golden helmet and lightening clothes. (9) He was, with the riches of His four arms, earrings of molten gold, eyes red of blood and a club in His hands, circling the club all around Himself like a shooting star, going here and there. (10) Vanquishing the radiation of the brahmâstra like the sun evaporating dew drops, He was observed by the child that wondered who He was. (11) While he observed the all-pervading Supersoul, the Supreme Lord and protector of righteousness taking away the glare, the Lord who stretches in all directions suddenly disappeared out of his sight. (12) Thereupon, with the gradual evolving of good signs and under a favorable constellation, he took birth as the heir apparent of Pându being exactly alike Pându himself in prowess. (13) King Yudhishthhira, gladdened, had priests like Dhaumya and Kripa perform the birth ritual with the recitation of auspicious hymns. (14) He, knowing where, when and how, rewarded with gifts of gold, cows, land, housing, elephants and horses, in charity, together with good food, the learned ones for the occasion. (15) Gladdened the brahmins addressed the king, the chief amongst the Purus, communicating that they felt very obliged to the descent in the line of the Purus [to the forefather King Puru of Yudhishthhira]. (16) They said: 'This son has been saved by the all-pervasive and all-powerful Lord from destruction by the all-devouring supernatural weapon, for the sake of obliging you. (17) Therefore he shall become well known in all the worlds as one protected by Vishnu; no doubt he will be a most fortunate supreme devotee endowed with all good qualities.'

(18) The good king said: 'O best of the truthful, will he follow in the footsteps of all the great souls of this family of saintly kings, of merit and true to his word by the very name in his achievements?'

(19) The brahmins answered: 'O son of Prithâ [Kuntî], he will be the maintainer of all who are born, exactly like King Ikshvâku, son of Manu, and he will be loyal in his promises and respect for the learned ones just like Râma, the son of Das'aratha. (20) Like King S'ibi of Us'înara he will be charitable and protect the surrendered ones and like Bharata, the son of Dushyanta, who performed many sacrifices, he will spread the name and fame of his family. (21) Amongst the archers he will be as good as Arjuna, being as well irresistible as fire as unsurpassable as the ocean. (22) As powerful as a lion and as worthy for taking shelter like the Himalayas, he will be as forbearing as the earth and as tolerant as his parents. (23) With a spirit as good as that of Brahmâ, he will be as generous and equanimous as Lord S'iva and be the resort of all living beings like the Supreme Lord with whom the goddess of fortune resides. (24) Following in the footsteps of Lord Krishna he will abide by the glory of all godly attributes, he will have the greatness of King Rantideva and be like Yayâti concerning the religion. (25) Patient as Bali Mahârâja this child will be a devotee like Prahlâda unto Lord Krishna and will perform as'vamedha [horse] sacrifices and be loyal to the elderly and experienced. (26) He will bring forth kings as good as sages, will chastise the upstarts and crush the quarrelsome for the sake of worldpeace and the religion. (27) After hearing of his personal death, caused by a snakebird sent by the son of a brahmin, he will be freed from attachment and take to the shelter of the Lord. (28) Having inquired about the right self-knowledge from the son of the sage Vyâsa he, o King, will abandon his material life on the bank of the river the Ganges and will attain a life of fearlessness.'

(29) After having thus informed the king, the ones well versed in the vedic knowledge, astrology and the ceremony of birth who had received sumptuous remuneration, returned to their respective homes. (30) He, o master [S'aunaka], would become famous in this world as Parîkchit, the examiner, because, from what he had seen before his birth, he would be examining all men in constant contemplation. (31) Very soon the royal prince under the care of his parental guardians luxuriantly grew up, the way the waxing moon grows day by day.

(32) King Yudhishthhira, desiring to perform a horse-sacrifice to be freed from fighting his kinsmen, thought about acquiring funds as he received only from taxes and fines. (33) In respect of his mindful wishes his brothers, advised by the Infallible One, went north to collect sufficient riches. (34) With the result of that collected wealth the pious King Yudhishthhira, out of his anxiety could conduct three horse-sacrifices, with which he perfectly worshiped Lord Hari. (35) The Supreme Lord, being called for by the king, saw to it that the sacrifices on his behalf were performed by the twice-born, meanwhile residing a few months there to the pleasure of the relatives. (36) Thereafter, o learned ones, with the permission of the king, Draupadî and His relatives, He went back to Dvârakâ, accompanied by Arjuna and other members of the Yadu dynasty."

The order carriers of Lord Vishnu, who are worshiped even by the demigods, possess wonderful bodily features exactly like those of Vishnu and are very rarely seen. The Vishnudutas protect the devotees of the Lord from the hands of enemies, from envious persons and even from my jurisdiction, as well as from natural disturbances.